Air Force Munitions (Page 4)

Updated on Feb 26, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that a recently released rendering from the AIM-260A does indeed reflect the actual design of what is also known as the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM).

This Is What The Classified AIM-260 Missile Actually Looks Like, Air Force Confirms

Updated on Feb 26, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 11, 2025. As a highly maneuverable and agile platform with a proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack, the Fighting Falcon is well-equipped to engage with threats to regional security and deter further aggression in the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)

F-16s With Larger Laser-Guided Rocket Loads, Drone Kill Marking Emerge Over Middle East

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

The U.S. Navy has released a picture of a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper Attack helicopter with a previously unseen long-range missile armament.

AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s New Long Range Missile Seen For The First Time

Updated on Feb 17, 2025

Containerized SAM System That Fires Soviet Air-To-Air Missiles For Ukraine Breaks Cover

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

The first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine fly on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024 in Unspecified, Ukraine. At the event for the Day of Ukrainian Air Force with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine were demonstrated.

Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)/Stormbreaker

New Shots Of Ukrainian F-16s Shine Light On Combat Missions

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

China’s J-20 Fighter Is Now Flying In ‘Beast Mode’

Updated on Feb 10, 2025

Beirut bunker buster CCTV on hezbollah bunker

Bunker Busters

Unprecedented New View Of BLU-109 Bunker Buster Strike That Killed Hezbollah’s Leadership

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, arrives to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida March 11. The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests. The 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft.

F-15EX Nails Pentagon Test Campaign, Survivability Concerns Remain

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)

Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Buster Grows More Potent

Updated on Feb 6, 2025

Infrared Seeker For APKWS Guided Rockets Is In The Works

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

While the 1950s was a time of truly unusual and fast-paced innovation in military aerospace, one of the more bizarre projects was for a nuclear-armed, liquid-fueled development of the Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

AIM-9 Sidewinder

The Navy Nearly Built A Nuclear Armed “Super Sidewinder” Air-To-Air Missile

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

A relatively low-cost cruise missile that the U.S. Air Force is now developing could transform into an air-launched counter-drone weapon.

Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor

Updated on Jan 31, 2025

U.S. Navy officials have laid out several priorities they say are key to ensuring the service's carrier air wings will be able to succeed in future conflicts, especially a high-end fight in the Pacific.

Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

AGM-114 Hellfire

Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

General Atomics has offered a look at a new air-to-surface missile it is developing.

New Air-Launched Cruise Missile Teased By General Atomics

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

The new Tempest configuration, this time with Japan Air Self-Defense Force markings.

UK Emphasizes Need To Arm Tempest Stealth Fighter With Larger, Longer Range Air-To-Air Missiles

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

The arsenals of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat jets look set to grow with the addition of stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM).

Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E

Updated on Jan 9, 2025

More new variants of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb could be on the horizon for the U.S. military.

Bunker Busters

Hints At More B61 Nuclear Bomb Variants In The U.S. Military’s Future

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

The U.S. Navy is now officially using "Murder Hornet" to refer to F/A-18E/F fighters armed with five AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and four AIM-9X Sidewinder.

Murder Hornet Nickname For F/A-18s Equipped With Nine Air-To-Air Missiles Now Official

Posted on Jan 6, 2025

IDF raid on Iran underground missile base in Syria

Inside Israel’s Commando Raid On Iran’s Underground Missile Factory In Syria

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

For the first time, Ukraine has released official video showing its Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack jets employing French-supplied Hammer rocket-boosted precision-guided munitions.

Ukraine’s Su-25s Seen Launching Hammer Rocket-Boosted Bombs For The First Time

Posted on Jan 2, 2025

Ukrainian USV Mi-8 Hip R-73 missile kill Black Sea

Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boat Shot Down A Russian Mi-8 Helicopter With A Surface-To-Air Missile

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

Israeli has launched airstrikes on multiple targets in Yemen, including the capital of Sana’a, in response to an overnight missile launch from Yemen toward Israel. The Israeli raids come after an uptick in attacks against Israel by the Yemen-based Houthi militant group, including two in the past week.

Israeli Air Force Strikes Yemen With Popeye And Rampage Standoff Missiles

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

A new targeted strike involving the use of the secretive AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile, which features an array of pop-out sword-like blades rather than a traditional high-explosive warhead, looks to have occurred in northwestern Syria.

AGM-114 Hellfire

Secretive Bladed AGM-114R9X Hellfire Missile Looks To Have Reemerged In New Syria Strike

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A recently released video from the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker provides an unprecedented close-quarters view of the fighter lobbing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) toward a Russian target.

Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)/Stormbreaker

Cockpit Video Of Ukrainian Su-27 Lobbing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

We have gotten our best look at a Ukrainian 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) mobile short-range air defense system (SHORADS) armed with the Soviet-era R-73 (AA-11 Archer) infrared-guided air-to-air missile. While other such systems have typically integrated Western missile armament on existing Ukrainian ground-based air defense systems — known as ‘FrankenSAMs’ — this one is notable for combining a Soviet-era SHORADS vehicle with Soviet-era missiles.

Ukraine’s SA-8 Gecko ‘FrankenSAM’ Adapted To Fire Air-To-Air Missiles Seen In New Detail

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Viper fighter has conducted the first release of a test version of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile.

AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

Stand-In Attack Missile Released From Fighter For First Time In USAF Test

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

The U.S. military risks going into a potential major fight with China with insufficient stocks of Patriot surface-to-air interceptors and other key munitions due to obligations in the Middle East and Ukraine, the top officer in the Pacific has warned.

Conflicts ‘Eating Into’ Critical Munitions Stockpiles Needed For China Fight, Top U.S. Officer In Pacific Warns

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

SPEAR 3 air-to-surface mini cruise missile.

UK’s New SPEAR 3 Mini Cruise Missile Succeeds In First End-To-End Test

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

Flight testing of the U.S. Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile is now set to begin following the delivery of an initial test article.

AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

First Stand-In Attack Missile Delivered To USAF

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating work on low-cost air vehicles that could evolve into relatively cheap cruise missiles, and plans to scale up production of selected designs, with the help of the Pentagon's Replicator initiative.

‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Program To Speed Up With Replicator Initiative Help

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

France will have sent Ukraine 600 Hammer bombs by the end of the year.

Ukraine Will Have Received 600 French Hammer Bombs By End Of Year

Posted on Nov 13, 2024

Visitors view a model of the aviation industry J-35A stealth fighter jet at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, on November 10, 2024.

New Version Of Chinese PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Tailored For Stealth Fighters Revealed

Posted on Nov 11, 2024

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F and F-35, both assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, fly over the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California with a U.S. Air Force F-15 during Gray Flag 2024 on Sept. 24, 2024. Gray Flag is an annual large-force test event that brings the joint force together to test and evaluate multi-domain systems in a maritime environment, ensuring our nation’s warfighters are equipped with effective, interoperable systems that will help them deter aggression, protect our nation’s prosperity and security, and return home safely to their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kory Hughs)

Navy Posts Its First AIM-174 Missile-Armed F/A-18F Super Hornet ‘Glamour Shots’

Updated on Nov 6, 2024

The arrival of two Su-57 Felon prototypes for the upcoming Airshow China has provided a good look at details of the next-generation fighter, although the most interesting has been a first up-close view of its small wing-root weapons bays. At TWZ we have previous examined this feature as well as the air-to-air missiles that are understood to be accommodated in the bays. While long known about, the weapons bays had long remained something of a mystery.

We Finally Get A Clear Look At The Su-57 Felon’s Side Weapons Bays

Posted on Nov 5, 2024

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has released a rare picture of an F-16I fighter armed with four Rampage missiles, an adaptation of a ground-launched precision-guided artillery rocket.

Israeli F-16I Shown Loaded-Up With Four Rampage Stand-Off Missiles (Updated)

Posted on Oct 30, 2024

Taiwan is lining up to become the next customer for the combat-proven National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System or NASAMS air defense system, after the United States approved its sale to the country.

Battle-Proven NASAMS Air Defense Systems Approved For Taiwan

Posted on Oct 30, 2024

A TAURUS (Target Adaptive Unitary and dispensor Robotic Ubiquity System) KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile, is on display during the press presentation at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, on June 3, 2024. The Aerospace Exhibition on aerospace industry, including aviation, space and defence, takes place at Schoenefeld Airport near Berlin and runs from June 5 to 9, 2024.

Germany Plans To Buy Advanced New Taurus Cruise Missiles: Report

Posted on Oct 25, 2024

Poland has taken the next step in the modernization of its air force, with U.S. approval given for a major upgrade of its fleet of F-16 fighters. The program will bring the jets to the F-16V standard and also suggests new weapons may be introduced, too. The Viper Midlife Upgrade is announced as Poland awaits F-35 stealth fighters and considers buying F-15EX multirole fighters, while making significant investments in its armed forces across the board, to meet the threat from Russia.

Poland’s F-16s Cleared For Major Upgrades

Posted on Oct 24, 2024

Storm Shadow/SCALP

French Mirage 2000s Destined For Ukraine Will Fly With Storm Shadow, MICA Missiles

Posted on Oct 23, 2024

Bunker Busters

B-2 Spirits Just Sent A Very Ominous Message To Iran

Updated on Oct 17, 2024

A new counter-drone focused variant of the 8x8 Stryker light armored vehicle armed with a laser directed energy weapon, laser-guided 70mm rockets, a 30mm automatic cannon, radars and other sensors has broken cover.

Counter-Drone Stryker Armored Vehicle Armed With Lasers, Rockets, Guns Unveiled

Posted on Oct 11, 2024

The Amiral Ronarc’h (hull number D 660) officially started sea trials earlier this week, setting sail from the Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard, in Brittany, northern France, on October 7.

Storm Shadow/SCALP

France’s Radical-Looking New Frigate Has Gone To Sea

Posted on Oct 11, 2024

KOSTYANTYNIVKA, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 5: Ukrainian servicemen examine the wreckage of a downed Russian aircraft, likely a Sukhoi S-70 "stealth" heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which crashed in a residential area, setting a house on fire on October 5, 2024 in Kostyantynivka, Ukraine.

Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine

Posted on Oct 7, 2024

Imagery said to show the aftermath of a highly targeted air strike on a car in Lebanon has prompted questions about whether a previously unknown miniature munition designed to produce extremely little collateral damage may have been employed.

Was A Mini “Sword Bomb” Just Used To Strike A Car In Lebanon?

Updated on Sep 27, 2024

AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW)

Biden Surging $8B In Aid To Ukraine That Includes AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons For F-16s

AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

Updated on Sep 26, 2024

An F-35 Lightning II test pilot conducts flight test Sept. 10 to certify the carrier variant of the fighter aircraft for carrying the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). As part of ongoing integration efforts, the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) team flew two days of test flights to evaluate flutter, loads, and flying qualities with two AGM-158 loaded on external stations. LRASM is a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. The Pax River ITF’s mission is to effectively plan, coordinate, and conduct safe, secure, and efficient flight test for F-35B and C variants, and provide necessary and timely data to support program verification / certification and fleet operational requirements.

F-35 Shown Carrying Stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles For The First Time

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

Hezbollah Converted Soviet Tu-143 Jet Recon Drone Into Cruise Missile Says IDF, Just Like Ukraine

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 23, 2024

AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW)

AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon To Equip Ukraine’s F-16s: Report

AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

Posted on Sep 21, 2024

Everything We Just Learned About The Supersized AGM-158 XR Stealth Cruise Missile

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

Russia putting tires on top of bombers and other aircraft was about confusing seekers with image-matching capability on incoming munitions, a senior U.S. military technologist has confirmed.

Russia Covering Aircraft With Tires Is About Confusing Image-Matching Missile Seekers U.S. Military Confirms

AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

Updated on Sep 13, 2024

The U.S. Marine Corps legacy F/A-18C/D Hornets are getting a major boost in stand-off strike capability in the form of AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cruise missiles

Marine Legacy F/A-18 Hornets Getting Major Firepower Boost With JASSM Cruise Missiles

Posted on Sep 12, 2024

Defense contractor Anduril has unveiled Barracuda, a new family of what it is calling "expandable autonomous air vehicles" that are scalable, highly modular, and already being flight-tested. The company is heavily focused now on "M" versions configured as relatively low-cost air-breathing precision munitions that could be launched from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as maritime and ground platforms.

Anduril Introduces Barracuda-M That Aims To Disrupt The Cruise Missile Market

Posted on Sep 12, 2024

Storm Shadow/SCALP

Increasing Indications Storm Shadow Missiles Will Be Cleared For Use Inside Russia

Updated on Sep 12, 2024

A series of photos have emerged showing a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet with a remarkable and hitherto unseen air-to-air load-out, including four of the very long-range AIM-174B air-to-air missiles.

F/A-18 Super Hornet Appears With Unprecedented Heavy Air-To-Air Missile Load

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Ukrainian Su-24M Fencer swing-wing combat jet carrying what is said to be new air-launched guided munition.

Mystery Munition Appears Under Ukrainian Su-24 Fencer Attack Jet’s Wing

AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

Posted on Sep 6, 2024

Above All Else JASSM Would Give Ukraine A Steady Supply Of Cruise Missiles